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  • Rachel Reeves – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Rachel Reeves – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rachel Reeves on 2016-05-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much his Department has invested in transport in Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire since 5 February 2015.

    Andrew Jones

    Information on transport spend in Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire is not available for this period. The latest data from HM Treasury’s Country and Regional Analysis identifies Department for Transport investment of £898 million in Yorkshire and the Humber (which covers the same area) in 2014/15.

    Over the period from 5 February 2015, Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire has benefitted from significant investment in transport schemes, for example £16.4m to support the Leeds Inner Ring Road essential maintenance scheme, £10.3m for the Leeds Rail Growth scheme for two new stations at Apperley Bridge (now open) and Kirkstall Forge (due to open in June), £10.3m for the Leeds Station Southern Access Scheme, and £18.1m from the Cycle City Ambition scheme to deliver a cycling ‘super highway between Leeds to Bradford (due for completion May 2016).

    This month the Department for Transport informed Leeds Council that it was accepting the independent Planning Inspector’s decision, which said the Leeds Trolleybus system promoted by the council is not suitable for development, and not providing consent for their Trolleybus scheme to go ahead. We have however agreed in this instance that £173 million of DfT funding will be retained so the right public transport scheme in Leeds can be developed as quickly as possible.

  • Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-05-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the utilisation rate was for Maritime and Coastguard Agency surveyors in (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    The averaged utilisation rate for marine surveyors for 2013-14 was 65%.

    In December 2014 a new system was implemented within MCA and no figures are available yet through the replacement system.

  • MiDavies – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Wales Office

    MiDavies – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Wales Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by MiDavies on 2016-05-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what proportion of people in Wales are involved in regular sport.

    Alun Cairns

    Sport is a devolved matter in Wales and is therefore the responsibility of the Welsh Government.

    However, the Sport Wales’ Active Adult Survey 2014 found that 72% of adults in Wales had participated in sport and physical recreation within the previous four weeks of being surveyed.

    Furthermore, their School Sport Survey 2015 found that 48% of children in Wales were participating in sports three or more times a week.

  • Steve McCabe – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Steve McCabe – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve McCabe on 2016-05-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much Child Support Agency scheme arrears were being dealt with by the child maintenance service at 31 March 2016; and how many cases those arrears relate to.

    Priti Patel

    As at 31 March 2016 the total amount of 1993 and 2003 Child Support Agency scheme arrears held on the 2012 system and currently being handled by the Child Maintenance Service stood at £153.3 million. Figures for 31 March 2016 are draft and subject to audit.

    Information on related case groups and break downs by scheme are not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

    We have at our disposal a range of strong enforcement powers, intended to ensure as many parents as possible fulfil their financial responsibilities towards their children. We are using all of the powers available to us where it is appropriate to do so. These include deducting maintenance directly from earnings, deduction directly from bank accounts, instructing bailiffs to collect arrears or seize goods, forcing the sale of property, commitment to prison and disqualification from driving.

  • Mark Menzies – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Mark Menzies – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2016-05-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2016 to Question 36891, whether it is his Department’s policy to retain a Jobcentre Plus in Fylde; and for what reasons officials in his Department did not inform the hon. Member for Fylde of his Department’s plans to redevelop the Jobcentre Plus at Westmoreland House in Lytham St. Annes.

    Priti Patel

    The department is in the process of reviewing all of its estates requirements as the current contract for most of the estate comes to an end on 31 March 2018.

    As building contracts come to an end landlords may explore what options are available to them, including making planning applications. In many cases this will be a sensible commercial decision even if the landlord intends on continuing to let their property to DWP.

    In this case the landlord of Westmorland House has acted independently of DWP in applying for planning permission. No decision has been made on the future of this Jobcentre Plus.

    Commercial negotiations are underway on the entirety of our estate at this time and it is not appropriate to comment further on individual sites while negotiations are in progress.

  • Steve McCabe – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Steve McCabe – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve McCabe on 2016-05-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many former Child Support Agency (CSA) clients whose liability ended due to the CSA case closure process have been sent a notice of the validated child maintenance arrears balance in each month between January and March 2016.

    Priti Patel

    The table below shows the number of Arrears letters sent to the Parents with Care (PWC) as part of the case closure process in each month from January 2016 until March 2016.

    Month

    Jan-16

    Feb-16

    Mar-16

    Number of Arrears Letters sent to PWC

    13,110

    27,480

    20,830

    Notes

    1. Figures rounded to the nearest 10

    We have at our disposal a range of strong enforcement powers, intended to ensure as many parents as possible fulfil their financial responsibilities towards their children. We are using all of the powers available to us where it is appropriate to do so. These include deducting maintenance directly from earnings, deduction directly from bank accounts, instructing bailiffs to collect arrears or seize goods, forcing the sale of property, commitment to prison and disqualification from driving.

  • Steve McCabe – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Steve McCabe – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve McCabe on 2016-05-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many closed Child Support Agency cases with child maintenance arrears have been referred for arrears (a) cleansing and (b) validation between January and March 2016.

    Priti Patel

    (a) The table below shows the number of cases referred for arrears cleansing in each month from January 2016 until March 2016.

    Month

    Jan-16

    Feb-16

    Mar-16

    Number of cases referred for arrears cleansing

    32,720

    38,600

    29,820

    Notes

    1. Figures rounded to the nearest 10.

    (b) There is no set separate validation procedure; it forms part of the cleansing process.

  • Kate Hoey – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Kate Hoey – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Hoey on 2016-05-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons restrictions are placed on people aged over 65 seeking to lease a car through the Motability scheme.

    Justin Tomlinson

    The Motability scheme is not restricted to those under 65. Around one third of Motability customers are aged 65 or older.

    The Motability scheme is available to those in receipt of a qualifying benefit, regardless of their age. These benefits are the enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment, the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance, Armed Forces Independence Payment or War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement.

  • Gerald Kaufman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Gerald Kaufman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gerald Kaufman on 2016-05-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he intends to answer the letter to him dated 13 April 2016 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms L Taylor.

    Justin Tomlinson

    The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member of Preseli Pembrokeshire (Stephen Crabb), replied on 15 April 2016.

  • Thangam Debbonaire – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Thangam Debbonaire – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Thangam Debbonaire on 2016-05-19.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to review the system of benefits for the parents of children with cancer and leukaemia.

    Justin Tomlinson

    The benefits available to the parents of children with cancer and leukaemia will depend on the particular circumstances of their household. Extra support is available to those parents who have had to give up full-time work to care for a child with a health condition or disability through benefits such as Carer’s Allowance, Income Support and Universal Credit. Disability Living Allowance may also be payable for children with a long-term health condition or disability as a contribution towards the extra costs they may incur.